A dangerous 12% annual spike in fire accidents in Bengaluru has shifted the spotlight back on the need for stringent enforcement of fire safety regulations. An accelerated vertical push, symbolised by the mushrooming high-rises across the city has injected a sense of urgency. This, when blatant violations in building plans continue to block quick access to fire-fighting men and machines.
Making a mockery of clearly laid out safety precautions, commercial establishments, godowns, cracker units, and rooftop pubs have all become vulnerable to fire accidents. Non-functional fire extinguishers, incendiary material in store rooms, blocked fire exits, lack of adequate setbacks for quick entry of fire-fighting trucks… The list is long.
A recent fire safety audit by the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services exposed the enormity of the violations. As many as 243 rooftop restaurants were flagged, a clear indication that the thousands who frequent these places were risking their lives in case of a blaze. The message is disturbing: Despite the recurring accidents, no lessons have been learnt.
